WhatsApp Desktop is the desktop client for the popular messaging app WhatsApp. It allows users to access WhatsApp on their computers and sync messages between their phone and computer. However, sometimes WhatsApp Desktop may fail to open or launch on your computer. There can be several reasons why WhatsApp Desktop is not working properly. In this article, we will go over the major causes and solutions to fix WhatsApp Desktop not opening or launching on Windows and Mac computers.
Quick Overview of Main Reasons
Here is a quick overview of the main reasons why WhatsApp Desktop may not be opening on your computer:
- Outdated WhatsApp Desktop app
- Connection issues between phone and computer
- Incorrect login credentials
- Corrupt app data or installation errors
- Antivirus or firewall blocking the app
- OS or hardware compatibility issues
We will now go into more detail on each of these potential issues and solutions to fix them.
Update to the Latest Version
One of the first things to check is if you are running the latest version of the WhatsApp Desktop app on your computer. WhatsApp frequently releases new updates to the desktop client with bug fixes and new features. An outdated version may have issues launching or connecting properly.
To update WhatsApp Desktop on Windows, go to the Microsoft Store and check for any available updates. On Mac, open the Mac App Store and look for WhatsApp Desktop updates. Alternatively, you can go to www.whatsapp.com/download and re-download the latest installation file for your computer OS.
Updating to the newest version of WhatsApp Desktop will ensure maximum compatibility and performance. This can resolve many launch and connection issues.
Verify Internet Connection
WhatsApp Desktop requires an active internet connection on both your computer and smartphone to sync messages. Problems with your network connection can prevent WhatsApp Desktop from launching.
Here are some steps to verify your internet connection:
- Make sure your computer is connected to the internet either via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- On your phone, connect to the internet either through mobile data or Wi-Fi.
- Open your web browser on the computer and try loading any web page to confirm internet access.
- Launch other internet-connected apps like email or social media on both devices to check connectivity.
- If using Wi-Fi, try disconnecting and reconnecting to refresh the connection.
- Restart your modem or router if the internet is still not working.
Stable internet access on both your phone and computer is required for WhatsApp Desktop to work. Make sure there are no connection drops or weak signals, and reconnect if needed. This will help rule out any network issues.
Check Your Login Credentials
WhatsApp Desktop requires you to scan a QR code from the app using your phone’s camera. This syncs your WhatsApp account between the phone and computer clients.
If there is an error in your login details, it can prevent WhatsApp Desktop from launching. Follow these steps to verify your login credentials:
- On your phone, open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Linked Devices.
- Look for your computer name and make sure it is marked as connected.
- Tap on the device name to verify the connection details.
- If your computer is not listed under Linked Devices, disconnect WhatsApp Web sessions from within the phone app.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies to remove any remembered login data.
- When re-launching WhatsApp Desktop, carefully scan the QR code again using your phone’s camera.
Double checking your linked devices and carefully re-scanning the QR code can help resolve login issues that prevent WhatsApp Desktop from opening.
Uninstall and Reinstall the App
Sometimes there may be corrupted app files or errors with the WhatsApp Desktop installation on your computer. This can prevent the app from launching correctly.
Uninstalling and then reinstalling WhatsApp Desktop can fix such errors:
- On Windows, go to Start Menu > Settings > Apps and find WhatsApp Desktop in the app list.
- Click the Uninstall button to remove the app and all its data.
- On Mac, find WhatsApp Desktop in your Applications folder and drag it to the Trash to uninstall.
- Now go to www.whatsapp.com/download and re-download the latest version of WhatsApp Desktop.
- Install the app and set up your account again by scanning the QR code.
Reinstalling from scratch will overwrite any corrupted files and give you a clean slate. Make sure to backup your chats first before uninstalling.
Allow WhatsApp Through Firewall and Antivirus
Your firewall and antivirus security software can sometimes block apps from running. To allow WhatsApp Desktop through your firewall:
- Open your computer’s firewall settings, usually found in Windows Security Center or your Mac System Preferences.
- Add WhatsApp Desktop as an allowed app to give it access through the firewall.
For your antivirus:
- Open your antivirus software settings on your computer.
- Look for the list of quarantined or blocked apps and check if WhatsApp Desktop is present.
- Whitelist WhatsApp Desktop to give it exclusions from antivirus scanning.
Granting permissions through firewall and antivirus allows WhatsApp Desktop to launch without being blocked. Make sure to keep your security software up-to-date afterwards.
Check OS and Hardware Compatibility
| OS | Version |
|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 7 onwards |
| macOS | macOS 10.10 Yosemite onwards |
WhatsApp Desktop requires the following desktop operating systems:
Issues launching the app may indicate your OS version is no longer supported. Please upgrade to a compatible OS.
Your computer hardware also needs to meet minimum requirements:
- 2 GB RAM
- Intel Pentium 4 processor and later
- Webcam for QR code scanning
Using older or low-spec machines can lead to performance issues. Check if your computer meets the recommended hardware for WhatsApp Desktop. An upgrade may be required.
Still Not Working? Try Web Version
If WhatsApp Desktop still won’t open after trying all troubleshooting steps, you can attempt to use the web version at http://web.whatsapp.com. The WhatsApp web client has very similar functionality without needing to install an app.
To set up WhatsApp Web:
- Ensure your computer and phone are connected to the internet.
- Open the WhatsApp Web URL in your computer’s web browser.
- On your phone, open WhatsApp and go to Menu > WhatsApp Web.
- Scan the QR code on the web page with your phone’s camera.
This will link and sync your WhatsApp account through the web instead of the desktop app. While less convenient, it can serve as a workaround until the desktop app issues are resolved.
Contact WhatsApp Support
If all troubleshooting fails, you can reach out to WhatsApp directly for further help. Some ways to contact WhatsApp support include:
- Twitter: Tweet @WhatsApp with your issue
- Email: [email protected]
- WhatsApp: Message +1 (650) 376-4777 (US only)
- Report bugs or issues within WhatsApp Settings
Explain your situation in detail, what troubleshooting you have tried, and your computer setup. This will help WhatsApp Support diagnose the issue and provide solutions tailored to your case. They may be able to identify less common factors preventing WhatsApp Desktop from launching.
Conclusion
WhatsApp Desktop failing to open is a common annoyance that can result from a range of technical issues. Start troubleshooting by updating the app, checking your internet connections, reinstalling, allowing the app through security software, and making sure your computer meets system requirements. Trying the web version or contacting WhatsApp Support directly can also help resolve pesky launch problems. With some diligent debugging, you should be able to get WhatsApp Desktop up and running again in no time.